reached his sixth or seventh year.
The Fireland warrior full grown is not a giant, but sometimes verypowerful, and far more hardy than could be believed possible, goingalmost stark naked even in winter--when at work, at all events; that is,when hunting, fishing, rowing, or running.
This is a digression, but it is necessary to show the kind of enemy wehad so soon to meet in battle. I must digress further to the extent ofa few words, and tell you that Jill was an excellent swordsman. We hada good tutor in our father, and my brother and I were always at swordexercise when at home and not doing either work or mischief. Many ahard knock we had given each other, but I rejoice to add we never lostour tempers.
"You feel sure we'll have a go at these niggers to-night, Mr Ritchie,if I may make so bold?"
This was a question put to our captain shortly after the moon had risen.
"As sure as that I'm looking at the moon," said Ritchie.
"And what think you will be the upshot?"
"It'll be a _down_-shot to begin with," replied Ritchie, by way ofmaking a grim joke.
"But, Lawlor lad, I'm half afraid the Fuegians will have the upper hand,drat 'em!"
"And we'll all be scuppered?"
"We're all in the hands of Providence," said Ritchie.
"'Cause I've a sweetheart," said Lawlor.
"And I've a mother," said another man.
"And I," said another, "have a wife and the prettiest baby ever openedblue eyes."
"I have neither kith nor kin," said Wrexham, a tall young giant of afellow. "I'm going to lay about me a bit by and by; and look here,lads, I wouldn't mind dying for the lot of you."
"Don't talk thus," said Ritchie. "Let each of us now say a bit of aprayer to himself."
There was silence for the space of five minutes; then we all stood up,and there and then, as if by one common impulse, we shook hands allround. We felt better now. We even wished the foe would come, but weknew also that when they did commence the attack, it would be in silenceand with suddenness.
A whole hour went by. No one spoke much. We just hung about the cavemouth, occasionally giving a look to see our arms were in perfect orderand array. Now and then Jill went into the cave and talked with thedogs as if they were human beings. I think he did so simply to pass thetime.
I was wondering in what particular way the battle would commence, andwhat would be the peculiar incidents connected with it, when Ritchiesuddenly clutched my arm and gazed seawards. A bright light was visiblefar out in the offing. A bright white light. Could it be thatassistance was at hand?
Presently all was dark on the sea again, except for the quivering linesof moonlight on the waters. But next minute a bright crimson glare wasthrown over the water. They were burning a red light. It was a signalundoubtedly.
"Can we make them hear, I wonder?" said Ritchie. "I think we can. Thenight is still, and the wind is off the shore."
We waited till the red light had quite burned out, then fired a volley,that went reverberating away up among the hills and rocks like thunder,and must have been heard far and near.
The savages must have seen that signal too, for now came a shower ofarrows, which we fain would have replied to had we seen an object tofire at. We took shelter within the inner rampart, well knowing theywould soon appear in the outer.
We were not disappointed. Heads and spears were seen above our firstline of defence.
"Steady, men!"
The volley we gave them must have been effective. There was silenceamong the foe no longer, but the wildest and most unearthly yells.Again and again did they try to storm our outer defence. Again andagain were they hurled down and back.
Our little fort seemed impregnable. Hope was in our hearts now. We hadonly to hold our position, and assistance would soon be with us.
The attack was renewed again and again, but with the same results. Ibegan almost to feel sorry for the carnage our guns and revolvers mustundoubtedly have been creating. But it was no fault of ours. We werebut acting on the defensive.
Then there came a lull in the storm, and we found time to bind up awound in Lawlor's left wrist. It had been caused by an arrow, and wasbleeding profusely. The rest of us were as yet unscathed.
"I don't like this silence," said Ritchie. "They're up to somedevilment, or my name isn't Ted. Let us get over and see."
We, Ritchie and I, scaled our first defence and mounted the second, onlyto see "Birnam wood" advancing, so to speak.
"All hands here, quick?" cried Ritchie.
In a few minutes, nay moments, we were firing at the advancing wood. Itwas too late. The pile was made and speedily lighted, and the smoke andsparks went rolling over us.
This was their plan, then. We were to be burned out or smoked out, likerats from a hole.
In this battle betwixt civilisation and savagery, the former hadhitherto got the advantage. Was all this to be changed? It would seemso.
The natives retreated now. They had but to wait till our positionbecame untenable, and slay us as we sought safety in flight. Flight?Yes, but whither?
The fire began to burn fiercely. In a few moments more the ramparts hadcaught, and now it was time for action.
We determined to hold our fort as long as possible, then make our last--our final sortie. We tore down the lee side of the inner bulwark, andcrouched on the ground close to the rock; and it is well we did, forjust then a whole shower of arrows flew over our heads.
"That is good, men," cried Ritchie. "The arrows come from the directionof the creek. Stand by to rush out when I give the order."
I missed Jill from my side. The kindly boy, even in the midst of thefire and fighting, had not forgotten the dogs, and had gone to let themloose.
Now in a fight or battle of any kind it is very little any singleindividual can tell of it. We only knew in the present instance thatthe order was given to "Charge," and out we rushed from our fiery den.
Ritchie and Wrexham led, keeping the smoke as a cover as long as theycould. Jill and I, shoulder to shoulder, followed. I know little else;I only thought of Jill.
Hitherto, I must own, I had considered that in many ways I was mybrother's superior, and more than once, I fear, I treated him as achild. After his bravery this night, and his coolness in this terrible_melee_, I always looked upon him as a man, and my equal--except, ofcourse, in age.
The savages would have done well had they scattered and poured upon ustheir clouds of arrows. For some reason or another they did not, butwaited our charge by the creek side, all in a mass, and with spears andyells. Savages as a rule put no end of value on their yelling andwhooping qualities, and at times, it must be admitted, these war criesare very confusing and startling. We fired one rifle volley into theirmidst; one or two volleys from the revolver. Then we met and mixed. Icannot tell now, nor could I ever tell, their numbers. They seemed likea huge dark cloud.
"Back to back, Jill!" I cried.
"Hurrah!" shouted my brother. "Back to back, Jack, in good old Cornishfashion! Hurrah!"
And back to back we fought in the midst of those fiends, who went downwherever we charged. Back to back, and wielding with terrible effecttwo long supple Arab swords we had bought at the Cape.
Back to back, as brothers should in an engagement like this. But forhow long I know not. A mist came over my eyes, a strange whitesmoke-like mist. Then I remembered no more.
But I was lying there by the creek side when I came to, with Jillbending over me. Lying in the moonlight, and not far off, talking toRitchie, was Peter himself, who came towards us as soon as he heard Jillsaying, "Are you better now, brother?"
So we were saved. I had merely been stunned with a blow from a stone.I had fallen about the very time Peter with his boat's crew had leapt onshore, and the savages began to fly, and Jill had caught me up in hisarms and staggered with me to meet them.
That is all I know of this fight with the Firelanders.
Ritchie was unscathed. Poor Wrexham
was stark and stiff, with, an arrowsticking in his heart, and two of the others were wounded, but notseverely. It is unnecessary to add that the natives had sufferedseverely.
"Peter," I said, as soon as I could gasp out a word or two, "I'm so gladto see you."
"I thought you wouldn't mind my paying you a visit," said Peter,smiling.
"I dare say I'm talking a bit strange," I said. "I feel rather dazed.I fainted, didn't I? So foolish to faint!"
"True, it's very foolish to faint, old man, but when a fellow gets hitbehind the ear with a pebble as big as an ostrich's egg, then faintingand folly are not quite synonymous terms."
"Well, thank you," I muttered. "I'm obliged, really. How's--"
"How's
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